News

10/06/2011 4:33 PM - Rockford, Ill.- With opening night just over 24 hours away, the Rockford IceHogs, members of the American Hockey League and proud affiliates of the Chicago Blackhawks, have set their opening night roster.

The Hogs open the regular season on Saturday against the Grand Rapids Griffins at the BMO Harris Bank Center at 7:05 p.m. The U.S. Cellular Pregame Show kicks off at 6:35 p.m. on the IceHogs Broadcasting Network. For tickets, call (815) 968-5222, log on to icehogs.com or visit the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office.

The IceHogs return 13 players (Kyle Beach, Brandon Bollig, Brian Connelly, Chris DiDomenico, Jimmy Hayes, Rob Klinkhammer, Shawn Lalonde, Joe Lavin, Peter LeBlanc, Jeremy Morin, Dylan Olsen, Ryan Stanton and Alec Richards) that skated on the team in 2010-11, including two (Hayes and Lavin) that joined the team following their collegiate seasons. The opening night roster features four veterans and seven rookies.

Forward Brandon Segal returns to Rockford after skating for the IceHogs in 2004-05 when the team was part of the United Hockey League. Segal will become the first player in franchise history to skate for the IceHogs as members of the AHL or UHL.

The full roster is set at 23 skaters, including 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.

Every fan in attendance for Opening Night will receive an IceHogs 2011-12 magnet schedule courtesy of BMO Harris Bank.

Fans can get an early start to the Opening Night festivities by heading to Davis Park for the 31st Annual Cumulus Chili Shoot-Out on Saturday from noon till 7 p.m. Patrons that purchase a ticket to the Chili Shoot-Out can get $2 off of their ticket to the IceHogs game on Oct. 8 by showing the ticket at the box office. Fans already with IceHogs tickets will receive $2 off their Chili Shoot-Out ticket.

Next Home Game: Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. Grand Rapids. The IceHogs open the 2011-12 season against the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7:05 p.m. at the BMO Harris Bank Center. Every fan in attendance will get an IceHogs 2011-12 magnet schedule. For tickets call (815) 968-5222 or visit icehogs.com. Don’t forget to follow the IceHogs on Twitter (@goicehogs) and Facebook (/RockfordIceHogs).